Automatic dispensing device



May 15,1928. 1,669,841

0. RICCI AUTOMATIC DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Nov 1926 INVENTOR CC I BY/7l5 ATTORNEY O. wdmfia Patented May 15, 1928.

*ORESTE BICCI, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC DISPENSING DEVICE.

Application filed November 2, 1926. Serial No. 145,896.

This invention relates to automatic dispensing devices and more partici'ilarly to a novel and improved receptacle and hopper including a delivery mechanism for serving a toothpick, match or similar object.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a. dispensing device, manually operable and automatic in its function, construct ed and arranged to simultaneously open the cover or closure of a receptacle or hopper to lodge a toothpick, match or similar object TLUl'll a supply and to present or serve the same and close the said cover or closure.

A further object of 'iny invention is to provide an automatic dispensing device of the character above specified in which a supply of toothpicks, matches or similar objects may be confined and concealed within a receptacle or hopper whereby they may be \tlispensed and served individually the operating mechanism being concealed and the said receptacle or hopper being removable so as to replenish the same with the objects being dispensed.

To enable others skilled in the art to more fully comprehend the underlying features of my invention that they may embody the same in the many uses and practical applications and 'purposes to which it may be employed, drawings dep cting a preferred form thereof are annexed hereto as part of my disclosure in which Fig. 1 is a side View of the dispensing device, a portion of the operating mechanism being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a top plan.

Fig. 3 is a. sectional View taken on the line J-3 of Fig. 2 and showing the operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4- of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corre sponding parts throughout the several views, 5 illustrates a substantially rectangular frame having corner supporting legs 6 and constructed preferably of stamped metal.

The frame supports a casing 7 which may be of various designs and in the form shown representing a boat body having front and rear depending extensions 8, 9 which are rigidly attached to the frame.

The rear extension 9 is provided with a slot therethrough for the passage of a bent link 10 extending through the frame, said link being pivotally connected. at ll. to one by l of the drawing.

It will be noted that the lever 12 is pivotally supported off center and is substantially concealed by the frame. The forward end of the lever is formed with two branches 17 to which are attached the vertical rods 18 held thereto by the nuts 19, said rods passing through slots '20 of the frame and further provided with the linger buttons 21 whereby the said lever may bev actuated against the resistance of the spring from either side of the frame.

The upper end 22 of the bent link 1.0 is

pivotally connected to a toggle 23 having bearings 2 L rotatable on a stationary shaft 25, said shaft being mounted in suitable bearings between the sides of the casing or boat 7. Formed with the toggle 23 or one of its bearings 24, I provide a curved, segmental, cover actuating element 25 which extends upwardly and forwardly to engage the outwardly bent end 26 of a rod 27.

Within the casing 7, there is provided a hopper or receptacle 2S shaped to conform with the interior thereof and in which the particular objects to be dispensed are confined and which may be toothpicks, matches or other light, similar objects. The hop-per or receptacle may be removed from the c asiii; 3) to replenish the supply of the ob- I to be pensed. said hopper being sec rely held in the icing by suitable pins Z9 3 i through openings in the said casing. The rear end of the hopper of) is closed but the front end thereof open so that when the hopper is removed, the toothpicks or matches may be introduced therein. through the open end.

As further shown by Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the top of the hopper is equipped with a, hinged cover or closure 31 having pintles 32 connected to the rod 27 whereby when the latter is actuated. by the actuating element 25 the said cover may be opened. A spring 33 also mounted on the rod and bearing against the rear edge of the cover normally maintains the same closed. The said. cover is also provided with a lip Ill! 3 lwhereby it may be raised by the finger if so desired and a quantity of the objects introduced into the hopper without removm the same from the casing.

lhe toggle also supports the legs of a dispensing device 36 which as shown simulates a bird or animal thus producing an ornamental feature to the device, the head or bill 37 of which is equipped with a spring clamp 38 which is adapted to engage a toothpick, match or similar object in the hopper when the lever is depressed from the position shown by Fig. 1 to that shown by Fig. 3 of the drawing. In other words, the actuation of the lever and link mechanism projects the dispensing device 36 so that it moves in a segmental path is effected sirrmltancously with the opening and closing'of the cover or closure of the hopper.

Hat fling shown and described my invention what I new claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: v

1. A dispensingdevice of the class described comprising a frame, aremovable hopper mounted on the frame, a closure for said hopper, an object gripping element located exteriorly of the hopper, lever operating means pivot-ed below the frame for actuating said gripping element for movement in a path within one end of the hopper, means for opening said. closureat one end thereof in advance of the movement of the gripping means whererby one or more objects n'iay be automatically withdrawn from a group positioned in said hopper.

2. A dispensing device of the class described comprising a frame, a casing on the frame, a hopper within the casing, a closure for said hopper, an object grippin element pivotally mounted in'ene end 0: the casing and exteriorly of the hopper, a lever pivoted to the frame, a connecting link be tween said lever and the object gripping element for actuating the same in an areaate 3th for movement within one end of the hopper and open said closure whereby one or more objects may be automatically withdrawn from a. group positioned in said hopper.

3. A dispensing device of the class described comprising frame, a casing on the f *ame, a removable hopper within the casing, a resiliently held hinged closure for the hopper, an object gripping element pivotally mounted in one end of the casing and exteriorly of the hopper, a resiliently controlled lever pivoted to and below the frame, a connecting link between saidlever and the object gripping element for actuating the same in an arcuate path for movement within one end of the hopper and means carried by said gripping element to engage the hinge of the said closure whereby the latter may be opened in advance of the said element to permit one or more objects to be automatically withdrawn from a group positioned in said hopper.

l. A dispending device of the class described comprising a frame, a casing on the frame, a removablehopper within the cas ing, a hinged closure for the top of the hopper, a shaft in one end of the casing, an object gripping element pivotally mounted on said shaft, a resiliently controlled lever pivoted to the frame, a link connecting said lever and the object gripping element whereby the latter may be actuated in an arcuate path for movement within one end of the hopper, and a segment carried by. the object gripping element for actuating the hinge of the closure at one end thereof to open the latter whereby one or more ob jects may be automatically withdrawn from a group positioned in said hopper.

5. A dispensing device of the class de scribed comprising a frame, a casing on the fral'ne, a hopper within the casing, a closure for said hopper, a shaft in one end of the casing, an object gripping element pivotally mounted on said shaft having resilient means for engaging oneor more objects within the hopper, a resiliently held lever pivotally mounted below the frame, a connecting link between one end of the lever and the object gripping element and mcans for operating the lever from either side of the frame whereby the objectgripping element may be actuated in an arcuate path Within one end of the hopper and means for simultaneously opening the closure as the object gripping element is so actuated.

In testimony whereof! allix my signature.

ORESTE BICQI. 

